1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
attained the highest rank in the Freemasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society
remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in category
usually ranks plural
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously
covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad
the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rank
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Naperville, Illinois, which earlier this year was also named the best place to live in America by Niche, ranked fourth, and Roswell, Georgia, snagged the fifth spot with a Livability Score of 838.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
Some of the top coaches in other college sports have opted to leave, either for the professional ranks or early retirement.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Brownfield to wetlands: Pima county officials plan green future for contaminated facility
Finally, John Leos visited Tucson to meet with some of the folks who are trying to clean-up a wastewater treatment plant that, for years, filled surrounding areas with a pretty rank odor.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank
Verb
The Bears ranked second in the NFL in going for it on fourth down last season, attempting 38 times, six behind the league-leading Browns.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Naperville, Illinois, which earlier this year was also named the best place to live in America by Niche, ranked fourth, and Roswell, Georgia, snagged the fifth spot with a Livability Score of 838.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
Noun
The Gestapo, Hitler’s secret police, combed the Poles’ ranks in search of men with experience in clandestine resistance organizations.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
Some of the top coaches in other college sports have opted to leave, either for the professional ranks or early retirement.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
Adjective
Only Tokio is expected to remain, albeit in rank 3, while Osaka/Kyoto is expected to fall as far as rank 13 by 2040, down from formerly rank 3.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Brownfield to wetlands: Pima county officials plan green future for contaminated facility
Finally, John Leos visited Tucson to meet with some of the folks who are trying to clean-up a wastewater treatment plant that, for years, filled surrounding areas with a pretty rank odor.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
-
Ten blasts were heard near the airport in the Indian Kashmir city of Srinagar and there were explosions in more locations in the contested region, other security officials added.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
Additionally, if there are any steps that are confusing, now is the time to do the research or watch a video.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
Our writers picked a few obvious candidates (anytime Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes clash in any year classifies as must-see).—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
Based on double-occupancy stateroom bookings, groups typically need to have a minimum of five to eight cabins to be classified as a group.—
Linnea Bailey,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The easy answer is most of the time, but the accurate answer is that out of the 24 roles in this ranking, Pantoliano is evil in 20, neutral in one, and good in three.—
Carrie Wittmer,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
-
It's been well over a decade since Aaliyah last scored a hit on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tally, which is considered the most competitive radio ranking in those genres.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Last week, in his first address to world diplomats as pontiff, Pope Leo said the dignity of migrants had to be respected.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 May 2025
-
All Marylanders benefit from reforms that reduce the financial burden of incarceration and uphold the values of dignity and humanity.—
Natasha Dartigue,
Baltimore Sun,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The money factor: Cost of living has topped the list of concerns for these generations for the fourth year in a row.—
Elizabeth Faber,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
Norby, Sanchez and Edwards each had two hits and Kyle Stowers belted a solo homer for the Marlins, who have lost three in a row and 13 of their last 16 overall.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
People in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell their health care provider.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
There are also three group categories for dance, musical instrument/bands, and vocal groups.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
From waking our brains up 100 times a night to doubling our risk of developing Alzheimer's disease to triggering rampant inflammation, chronic stress is one of the most biologically disruptive forces in modern life.—
Michael Franco
May 15,
New Atlas,
15 May 2025
-
Would Washington wait until AI harms were rampant and entrenched before responding?—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share